Washer



March 30, 1937. J, SEKAVEC 2,075,628

WASHER Original Filed Dec. 9, 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet l March 30, 1937. J.SEKAVEC 2,075,628

WASHER Original Filed Dec. 9, 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 L w J NW fi N g 3j;- 1 c Q 0 f N & if fii J l mw wn 0 1 74/ W ha AR w M J B ally J.SEKAVEC March 30, 1937.

WASHER Original Filed Dec. 9, 1932 4 SheetsSheet 5 J. SEKAVEC March 30,1937.

WASHER Patented Mar. 30, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WASHER tion ofIllinois Application December 9, 1932, Serial No. 646,393 RenewedFebruary 12, 1936 18 Claims.

My invention involves an improved method of and apparatus for washing orcleansing clothes in a tub or container of the character usuallyemployed in washing machines of the so-called domestic type.

Washing machines of this character usually employ a tub which iscylindrical in shape with a. generally flat bottom and an open top. inwhich tub the washing water and clothes to be cleansed i are placed, andin which the water and clothes are maintained in motion whereby thewater is forced through the clothes and thereby cleaned.

One of the objects of my invention is to forcefully maintain movement ofthe water and clothes in the tub in a wavy or undulating inc-,- tionwhich progresses in a horizontally circular direction within the tub ina manner as to cause the washing water to.be impelled through theclothes and thoroughly clean them.

20 A further object of my invention is to provide a centrally disposedimpeller within the tub arranged for a rotary undulating motion andacting upon the water and clothes in such manner as to set up strongcurrents of water capable 25 of thoroughly cleansing the clothes.

Other objects of my invention will appear from the following descriptionand drawings of a structure in which the invention is embodied.

Referring to the drawings.

30 Fig. 1 is a vertical section of a washing machine tub and impellerand associated parts, some of which are shown in elevation to betterillustrate the structure;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional view 35.0! the impeller and theactuating mechanism therefor;

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the impeller with the tub in section takenon a line 3-4 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a detail transverse section on line 40 4-4 of Fig. 1:

- Fig. 5 is a detailed plan view of the socket member of the universalbearing:

'-Flg. 6 is a vertical sectional view similar to Fig.1 but illustratinga modified impeller struc- 45 ture: and

Fig. '7 is a transverse or plan section on the line 1-1 of Fig. 6. p

This invention concerns the method of and apparatus for agitating thewater and clothes .10 in a washing machine more particularly 'of thedomestic type. and in the drawings those portions of a washing machinestructure are shown as are needed to illustrate the invention,

The tub or vessel A is representative of the as usual type employed indomestic washers, and

comprises a cylindrical structure having a substantially vertical wallI. a substantially flat bottom 2, and open at thetop. The tub is usuallyformed of sheet metal and its upper edge is turned to form a head 3 forreinforcement and 5 for supporting a suitable removable cover. notshown. The side wall and bottom merge in a slightly rounded cornerincidental to the formation of the tub in one piece and to facilitatecleaning of the tub. 10

An inverted pan 5 is secured to the bottom of the tub and has a numberof legs 5 for properly supporting the structure. This pan also serves asa sort of housing or enclosure for the motor I and driving mechanism 3for the impeller.

The motor I is mounted on the underside of the pan I and drives a pulley8 by means of the belt 8. The pulley is carried by a stud shaft I0 whichis mounted in a suitable bracket ll secured by bolts 12 to a plate II.The plate II is secured by bolts 14 to the bottom of the tub, a suitableopening it being provided in the pan to accommodate the plate. The boltsll extend through thebottom wall of the tub and into the base flange itof the impeller standard D within the tub, and a gasket I1 is'interposed between the bottom wall and the flange to prevent theentrance of water within the interior of the standard. The plate II hasa central vertically disposed elongated hearing I! in which is iournaleda vertical main drive shaft l8. This shaft is driven a proper speedthrough the medium of the gear 20 and pinion 2|. The gear II is mountedon the lower end of the vertical shaft IQ and meshes with and is drivenby the pinion 21 on the hub of pulley t.

The bearing ll extends through an opening in the tub bottom and into thehollow interior of the standard D. The shaft l0 extends above thebearing and has keyed to it akub 23 having a crank arm II which has abearing liat'its end for an angularly disposed shaft 26, on the upperend of which the impeller member E is mounted and by which the impelleris actuated.

The lower end of the impeller shaft is thus 5 spaced from the axis ofthe vertical shaft 18 and when the latter is rotated this lower end ofthe impeller shaft is revolved with a planetary movement in an orbitabout the-vertical shaft. The impeller shaft 26 is supported in-auniversal bearing in the upper end oi the standard and the center of thebearing is axially in line vertically with the drive shaft It, so thatthe portion of the shaft which projects beyond the bearing is given amovement similar to its lower end, which motion is imparted to theimpeller as hereinafter de-. scribed.

The universal bearing comprises a ball member 30 in which the shaft isrotatable, and a socket member 3| in which the ball is seated foruniversal movement, this socket being provided with an opening 32 forthe portion of the shaft which projects beyond. The socket is mounted inthe upper end of the standard which is cone-shaped and hence smaller atits upper end to accommodate the socket. The shaft has fastened to it aninverted cup-shaped member 33, the rim of which is curved to fit andbear upon the outer surface of socket member. Within the standard, theimpeller shaft carries a pinion 34 which meshes with and travels aroundan internal stationary gear 35 formed on the inner wall of the standard.The effect of this gearing is to impart rotation to the shaft oppositeto the direction in which the shaft is revolved by the crank movementhereinbefore described.

The parts described which form a universal bearing for the shaft readilypermit free movement of the shaft and at the same time provides aneffective seal to prevent the entrance of water into the interior of thestandard and working parts. This is important because the standard andimpeller are submerged in the water. The curved rim of the cup member 33bearing on the exterior of the socket and the ball bearing on theinterior surface of the socket provides a double seal which can be madevery eifective because these surfaces are all accurately machined.

The structure described forms a suitable mounting and actuatingmechanism for the impeller, but it will be obvious that any othersuitable mechanism may be employed which. will actuate the impeller inthe manner to obtain the action on the clothes and water about to bedescribed.

The impeller E is preferably in the form of a disc-like member 36 which,although relatively large in diameter, is preferably spaced asubstantial distance from the vertical wall of the tub. It has a centralhollow boss 31, the interior wall 38 of which is tapered to form a wedgefit on the correspondingly tapered outer surface of the member 33. It isclamped thereon by av cap nut 89 which is screwed on the threaded end ofthe impeller shaft.

The impeller is positioned in the tub so that it will be well submergedin the water, the preferred level of which is indicated in Fig. 1. Whenthe desired load of clothes is placed in the tub and the impeller isstarted in operation, the body of water and clothes are given a combinedwave and whirling movement around the tub. This is due to the fact thatthe impeller member is constantly at an angle to the horizontal, but itsposition is constantly changing by virtue of its rocking motion whilebeing rotated, which progressively lowers one side of the impeller andraises the opposite side. As a result, the lowering side of the impellerpresents to the water an angularly disposed face on its underside andthe raising side of the impeller likewise presents to the water acorresponding angularly disposed upper face. Since both faces movain thesame direction, they act to force the water and clothes with a whirlingundulating motion around the tub. The degree of violence with which thisaction takes place can be regulated or governed by the speed at whichthe impeller is rocked, by the shape of the impeller, and by rotation ofthe impeller in its ao'meas own plane in a direction opposite to itswave or rocking motion. In the form shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the impelleris made in a wave formation so that on both its upper and lower facesthere is provided a series of alternate hills l0 and valleys 4|. Theseare greatest in height and width at the circumference of the disc andgradually decrease towards the center of the disc. These hills andvalleys, by virtue of rotation of the disc in its own plane, act toretard to some extent the undulating and whirling movement of the waterand clothes and prevent them piling up too high ahead of the revolvingimpeller, and the effect can be regulated as desired by the speed ofrotation of the impeller in its own plane.

In the form shown in Figs. 6 and 7, the impeller is in the shape of afiat disc 43, and its retarding eflect is less; therefore it can berotated in its own plane at greater speed. The speed of rotation of thedisc in its own plane can be determined by proportioning the gears 34and 35.

I have illustrated and described a new method of agitating water andclothes in a tub for the purpose of cleansing the clothes. and astructure by which this method is carried into effect. It

is obvious that changes may be made in the con-" struction, operationand arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit of theinvention and it is understood that I contemplate such changes as fairlyfall within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a washing machine of the character described, the combination of atub adapted to contain the washing fluid and clothes to be washed andhaving a cylindrical, substantially vertical side wall and a bottom, animpeller substantlally centrally positioned within and a substantialdistance above the bottom of the tub and to be submerged below the levelof the water in a quiescent state and comprising a disc member ofappreciable diameter but substantially spaced from the wall of the tubto provide for the free circulation of the clothes around and beneaththe impeller, a hollow standard upstanding from the bottom of the tub, asupport for said disc member maintaining said member in a plane at anangle to said water level, said support being fulcrumed on and extendinginto the interior of said standard, and means within the standard forrevolving said support in a circular orbit about the vertical axis ofits fulcrum for imparting a bodily movement to the disc member whilemaintaining its angular relation to the water level.

2. In a washing machine of the character described, the combination of atub adapted to contain the washing fluid and clothes to be washed andhaving a cylindrical, substantially vertical sidewall and a bottom, animpeller substantially centrally positioned within and a substantialdistance above the bottom of the tub and to be submerged below the levelof the water in a quiescent state and comprising a disc member ofappreciable diameter but substantially spaced from the side wall of thetub to provide for the free circulation of the clothes around andbeneath the impeller, a hollow standard upstanding from the bottom ofthe tub, a support for said disc member maintaining said member in aplane at an angle to said water level, said support being fulcrumed onsaid standard and extending into the interior of said standard, meanswithin said standard for revolving said support in a circular orbitabout the vertical axis of its fulcrum for imparting a bodily movementto the disc-like member while maintaining its angular relation to thewater level, and means within the standard for rotating the support onits own axis to impart rotation to the disc member in its own plane.

3. In a washing machine of the character described, the combination of atub for containing the water and clothes to be washed, a standardupstanding from the bottom of the tub, a vertical drive shaft withinsaid standard, an inclined impeller shaft fulcrumed on said standardwith i the axis of the fulcrum in line with the axis of the drive shaft,a crank arm on the drive shaft connected to said impeller shaft forrevolving the impeller shaft below the fulcrum in an orbit about thedrive shaft. an impeller member mounted upon the impeller shaft abovethe fulcrum and comprising a disc member disposed in a planesubstantially at right angles to the axis of the impeller shaft andadapted to be bodily revolved about the axis of the drive shaft by theportion of the impeller shaft above the fulcrum, and motor driven meansfor rotating said drive shaft.

4. In a washing machine of the character described. the combination of atub for containing the water and clothes to be washed, a standardupstanding from the bottom of the tub, a vertical drive shaft withinsaid standard, an inclined impeller shaft fulcrumed on said standardwith the axis of the fulcrum in line with the axis of the drive shaft, acrank arm on the drive shaft connected to said impeller shaft forrevolving the impeller shaft below the fulcrum in an orbit about thedrive shaft, an impeller member mounted upon the impeller shaft abovethe fulcrum and comprising a disc member disposed in a planesubstantially at right angles to the axis of the impeller shaft andadapted to be bodily revolved about the axis of the drive shaft by theportion of the impeller shaft above the fulcrum, and means for rotatingsaid impeller shaft on its own ailds to rotate the impeller disc memberin its own p ane.

5. In a was ing machine of the character described, the combination of atub for containing the water and clothes to be washed, a hollow standardupstanding from the bottom of the tub in the center thereof, a driveshaft extending vertically into said hollow standard, an arm on saidshaft adapted to swing in a horizontal plane by the rotation of theshaft, an impeller shaft, a universal bearing for the impeller shaftmounted on said standard with its center substantially in line with theaxis of the drive shaft,

said impeller shaft being connected with said arm below the fulcrum at adistance from the axis of the drive shaft, an impeller member mounted onthe impeller shaft above the fulcrum and adapted to be bodily revolvedthereby about the g0 axis of the drive shaft, said impeller memberincluding a continuous operating surface extending substantially normalto the axis of the impeller shaft and normally submerged below thesurface of the water when said impeller is op- 05 erating upon acapacity load of clothes and motor driven means for rotating said driveshaft.

6. In a washing machine of the character described. the combination of atub for containing the water and clothes to be washed, a hollow standardupstanding from the bottom of the tub in the center thereof, a driveshaft extending vertically into said hollow standard, an arm on saidshaft adapted to swing in a horizontal plane by the rotation ofthe-shaft. an impeller shaft, a universal bearing for the impeller shaftmounted on said standard with its center substantially in line with theaxis of the drive shaft, said impeller shaft being connected with saidarm below the fulcrum at a distance from the axis of the drive shaft, animpeller member mounted on the impeller shaft above the fulcrum andadapted to be bodily revolved thereby about the axis of the drive shaft,means for rotating the impeller shaft on its own axis to rotate theimpeller member in its own plane, and motor driven means for driving thedrive shaft.

7. In a washing machine of the character described, the combination of atub for containing the water and clothes to be washed, a hollow standardupstanding from the bottom of the tub in the center thereof, a driveshaft extending vertically into said hollow standard, an arm on saidshaft adapted to swing in a horizontal lane by the rotation of theshaft, an impeller shaft, a universal bearing for the impeller shaftmounted on said standard with its center substantially in line with theaxis of the drive shaft, said impeller shaft beingconnected with saidarm below the fulcrum at a distance from the axis of the drive shaft, adisc impeller member mounted on the impeller shaft above the fulcrum andadapted to be bodily revolved thereby about the axis of the drive shaft,a stationary gear supported by said standard, a gear on the impellershaft meshing with saidstationary gear for rotating the impeller shafton its own axis to rotate the impeller member in its own plane, andmotor driven means for rotating said drive shaft.

8. In a washing machine of the character described, the combination of atub having side walls and a bottom for containing the water and clothesto be washed, an impeller member supported within the tub at anappreciable distance above the tub bottom and from the side walls toprovide space around and below the impeller for the free circulation ofthe clothes, said impeller being substantially submerged below thenormal water level in the tub, means for bodily revolving the impellermember about a vertical axis with the plane of said impeller member atan 'angle to the normal water level, and driving means'connected withthe impeller for simultaneously rotating said impeller member in its ownplane.

9. Impeller mechanism for agitating the water and clothes in the tub ofa washing machine comprising an impeller member. an inclined rotatableshaft for said impeller member the axis of said shaft beingsubstantially normal to the plane of the impeller member. said impellermember including a continuous operating surface extendlng substantiallynormal to the axis of the impeller shaft and normally submerged belowthe surface of the water when said impeller is operating upon Mapacltyload of clothes, a universal bearing for said impeller shaft permittingthe shaft to be bodily revolved about the center of said universalbearing and at an angle to the vertical axis of said bearing. a standardfor supporting said universal bearing, and means within the standard forbodily revolving the impeller shaft about said center below the bearingfor imparting corresponding movement to the impeller above the bearing.

10. Impeller mechanism for agitating the water and clothes in the tub ofa washing machine comprising a disc impeller member, an inclinedrotatable shaft for said impeller member the axis of said shaft beingsubstantially normal to the 'plane of the impeller member, a universalbearing, for said impeller shaft permitting thershaft to be bodilyrevolved about the center of said universal bearing and at an angle tothe vertical axis of said bearing, a standard for supporting saiduniversal bearing, means within the standard for bodily revolving theimpeller shaft about said center below the bearing for impartingcorresponding movement to the impeller disc above the bearing, and meansfor rotating said impeller shaft on its own axis.

11. In a washing machine of the class described, the combination of acylindrical tub having substantially vertical side walls andsubstantially horizontal bottom wall, a cone-shaped hollow standardupstanding from the center of said tub bottom, a vertical drive shaftextending into said standard, a socket member in the standard above saiddrive shaft, a ball member in said socket for universal movementtherein, an impeller shaft rotatable in said ball member and extendingabove and below the socket member, the center of rotation of the ballmember being in substantial alignment with the axis of the drive shaft,a crank arm on the drive shaft connected to the lower end of saidimpeller shaft at a distance from the axis of rotation of the driveshaft whereby to hold the impeller shaft at 'an angle to said axis andto swing said lower end of the impeller shaft circularly around saiddrive shaft axis and to reproduce said circular movement at the upperend of said impeller shaft, and a disc impeller member mounted upon theupper end of said impeller shaft with its plane substantially at rightangles to the axis of the impeller shaft.

12. In a washing machine of the class described, the combination of acylindrical tub having substantially vertical side walls andsubstantially horizontal bottom wall, a cone-shaped hollow standardupstanding from the center of said tub bottom, a vertical drive shaftextending into said standard, a socket member in the standard above saiddrive shaft, a ball member in said socket for universal movementtherein, an impeller shaft rotatable in said ball member and extendingabove and below the socket member, the center of rotation of the ballmember being in substantial alignment with the axis of the drive shaft,a crank arm on the drive shaft connected to the lower end of saidimpeller shaft at a distance from the axis of rotation of the driveshaft whereby to hold the impeller shaft at an angle to said axis and toswing said lowerend of the impeller shaft circularly around said driveshaft axis and to reproduce said circular movement at the upper end ofsaid impeller shaft, a disc impeller member mounted upon the upper endof said impeller shaft with its plane substantially at right angles tothe axis of the impeller shaft, a stationary ring gear in said standard.a pinion gear on the impeller shaft meshing with and adapted to travelaround said ring gear for rotating the impeller shaft upon its own axis,and motor driven mechanism for rotating said drive shaft.

13. In a washing machine of the character described, the combination ofa tub having side walls and a bottom for containing the water andclothes to be washed, an impeller member of disk form positionedcentrally within the tub at an angle to the vertical axis of the tub,said impeller being angularly spaced from the side wall of the tub andlocated above the bottom wall thereof a sumcient distance to providespace for the free movement of the clothes and water around and beneaththe impeller whereby the clothes change washing position with respect tothe impeller as the impeller operates, means for revolving the impellermember in said angular relation to the vertical axisfor causing acontinuous downward movement of successive marginal portions of saiddisc impeller and causing continuous upward movement of successivediametrically opposite marginal portions of said disc impeller, andmeans permitting the rotation of the impeller member in its own plane.

14. The combination of a tub having a bottom and upright wall forcontaining the water and clothes to be washed, a standard extending upfrom the bottom of said tub in the center thereof, a shaft extendingupwardly through and supported in said standard, a disc agitator memberdriven by said shaft and positioned at an appreciable distance above thebottom of the tub and having its margin spaced from the wall of the tubto permit circulation of the clothes around and beneath the agitatorwhereby the agitator freely turns the clothes as it operates, saidagitator being disposed in a plane at an angle to the vertical axis ofthe tub, and means below the tub for driving said shaft to bodilyrevolve the agitator member about the vertical axis of said support, forcausing a continuous downward movement of successive marginal portionsoi said disc impeller and causing continuous upward movement ofsuccessive diametrically opposite marginal portions of said discimpeller.

15. The combination of a tub having a bottom and upright wall forcontaining the water and clothes to be washed, a standard extending upfrom the bottom of said tub in the center thereof, a shaft extendingupwardly through and supported in said standard, a disc agitator memberdriven by said shaft and positioned at an appreciable distance above thebottom of the tub and having its margin spaced from the wall of the tubto permit circulation of the clothes around and beneath the agitatorwhereby the agitator freely turns the clothes as it operates, saidagitator being disposed in a plane at an angle to the vertical axis ofthe tub, means below the tub for driving said shaft to bodily revolvethe agitator member about the vertical axis of said support, for causinga continuous downward movement of successive marginal portions of saiddisc impeller and causing continuous upward movement of successivediametrically opposite marginal portions of said disc impeller, andmeans permitting the rotation of the agitator in the plane of itself.

16. In a washing machine of the character described, the combination ofa tub adapted to contain the washing fluid and clothes to be washed, avertical drive shaft having a portion extending upwardly through thebottom of the tub, a crank arm carried on said portion of the driveshaft, an impeller member of disc form connected to the outer end ofsaid arm, said impeller being positioned with its axis disposedobliquely to the axis of the drive shaft, and adapted to be bodilyrevolved with said arm in an orbit about the axis of the drive shaft,for causing a continuous downward movement of successive marginalportions of said disc impeller and causing continuousupward movement ofsuccessive diametrically opposite marginal portions of said discimpeller. and motor driven means for rotating said drive shaft.

17. In a washing machine of the character described, the combination ofa tub adapted to contain the washing fluid and clothes to be washed, avertical drive shaft having a portion extending upwardly through thebottom of the tub, a crank arm carried on said portion of the driveshaft, an upwardly extending impeller shaft connected to the outer endof the crank 5 arm and disposed with its axis at an angle to the axis ofthe drive shaft, an impeller member of disc form mounted on the impellershaft and disposed at substantially right angles to' the axis of saidimpeller shaft, and adapted to be bodily 10 revolved with said impellershaft in an orbit about the axis of the drive shaft, for causing acontinuous downward movement of successive marginal portions of saiddisc impeller and causing continuous upward movement of successivediametri- 15 cally opposite marginal portions of said disc impeller, andmotor driven means for rotating said drive shaft.

18. In a washing machine of the character described, the combination ofa tub adapted to 20 contain the washing fluid and clothes to bewashed, avertically disposed drive shaft having a portion extending upwardlythrough the bottom of the tub, a laterally extending crank arm carriedon said portion of the drive shaft, an upwardly extending impeller shaftconnected to the outer end of said arm and disposed with its axis atangle to and in line with the axis of the drive shaft, an impellermember of disc form mounted upon the impeller shaft and disposedsubstantially at right angles to the axis of said impeller shaft, andadapted to be bodily rotated with said impeller shaft in an orbit aboutthe axis of the drive shaft. for causing a continuous downward movementof successive marginal portions of said disc impeller and causingcontinuous upward movement of successive diametrically opposite marginalportions of said disc impeller, and motor driven means for rotating saiddrive shaft.

JOSEPH SEKAVEC.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION.

Patent No; 2,075,628.

March 30, 1937.

JOSEPH SEKAVEC.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specificationof the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 4,first column, line '71 claim 13, for the word, "angularly" readannularly; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with thiscorrection therein that the same may conform to the record of the casein the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 11th day of May, A. D. 1937.

, (Seal) Henry Van Arsdale Acting Commissioner of Patents.

extending upwardly through the bottom of the tub, a crank arm carried onsaid portion of the drive shaft, an upwardly extending impeller shaftconnected to the outer end of the crank 5 arm and disposed with its axisat an angle to the axis of the drive shaft, an impeller member of discform mounted on the impeller shaft and disposed at substantially rightangles to' the axis of said impeller shaft, and adapted to be bodily 10revolved with said impeller shaft in an orbit about the axis of thedrive shaft, for causing a continuous downward movement of successivemarginal portions of said disc impeller and causing continuous upwardmovement of successive diametri- 15 cally opposite marginal portions ofsaid disc impeller, and motor driven means for rotating said driveshaft.

18. In a washing machine of the character described, the combination ofa tub adapted to 20 contain the washing fluid and clothes to bewashed, avertically disposed drive shaft having a portion extending upwardlythrough the bottom of the tub, a laterally extending crank arm carriedon said portion of the drive shaft, an upwardly extending impeller shaftconnected to the outer end of said arm and disposed with its axis atangle to and in line with the axis of the drive shaft, an impellermember of disc form mounted upon the impeller shaft and disposedsubstantially at right angles to the axis of said impeller shaft, andadapted to be bodily rotated with said impeller shaft in an orbit aboutthe axis of the drive shaft. for causing a continuous downward movementof successive marginal portions of said disc impeller and causingcontinuous upward movement of successive diametrically opposite marginalportions of said disc impeller, and motor driven means for rotating saiddrive shaft.

JOSEPH SEKAVEC.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION.

Patent No; 2,075,628.

March 30, 1937.

JOSEPH SEKAVEC.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specificationof the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 4,first column, line '71 claim 13, for the word, "angularly" readannularly; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with thiscorrection therein that the same may conform to the record of the casein the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 11th day of May, A. D. 1937.

, (Seal) Henry Van Arsdale Acting Commissioner of Patents.

